Go Mountain Goats – Détails, épisodes et analyse

It's December 2019. Ben Bardsley packs up his wet tent in the rain at Lindesnes lighthouse, the most southerly point in Norway. He sets off heading north, a direction he will rarely waver from over the next 3 months as he attempts to traverse the entire length of Norway - Norge På Langs - in a single winter.

Dealing with a particularly stormy winter, he first met difficulties when the usual winter routes across frozen lakes were not safe in the south due to mild conditions. Next he experienced exhausting trail breaking in one of Norway's snowiest Februarys on record, which increased the difficulty of this 2700 km journey significantly. Finally, suffering from illness and the strain of near constant bad weather and incessant wind, he entered an Arctic Circle even more deserted than usual due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

A veteran of multi-day adventure racing competitions, an accomplished fell runner and a champion mountain bike racer, Ben recounts his 106 day solo adventure with passion and honesty. This was a journey that challenged him in ways that few have experienced.

Returning from the trip, Ben suffered from extreme fatigue and was unable to return to work for several months. He talks us through the process of discovery and positive thinking which led to his recovery.

Ben was supported on the trip by Lyon Equipment and Rab Equipment.

He raised money during his trip to support his friend Dave Hollinger who suffered a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident in 2018. For more details and to donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/quotnorge-pa-langsquot-inspired-by-dave

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Es Tresidder chats to me (Finlay Wild) about my record for the Cuillin Round. Set on May 1st 2024, I travelled solo and unsupported from a tent at the base of the South Ridge of Bla Bheinn, returning to finish the loop in 13hrs 04mins 13secs. The round takes in 60 summits in the Black and Red Cuillin in a route created by Rob Woodall in 1999 and rekindled by James Gibson last year with his record of 19hr 39min.

We spend some time discussing different rounds in the Cuillin, starting with the famous Cuillin (Main) Ridge traverse: the classic mountaineering journey of the 'British Alps', which has a point to point record for which both Es (2007) and then myself (2013) have held the record (currently my 2hr59mins). Longer outings are generally based around the main traverse with the addition of hills in the Red Cuillin (Glamaig, Marsco, etc) plus the brilliant Clach Glas - Bla Bheinn traverse. The Cuillin Round itself takes a slightly different route along the Main Ridge to take in outliers such as Sgurr Sgumainn and Knight's Peak, then drops to Glen Sligachan's runnable terrain before the tough climb up Glamaig and a traverse of the Red Cuillin, including outlier Belig, and a finish over Clach Glas and Bla Bheinn. It also traverses lesser known peak Sgurr Hain and the fab viewpoint of Sgurr na Stri. Much of the terrain is scrambly and exposed, with around 7300m of ascent over 53km.

I was incredibly satisfied with such an unforgettable day out in some of the best terrain the UK has to offer a runner-climber. I'm pleased to become the sixth completer of the round, and would highly recommend it to others with the skillset.

Corrections/ extra info:

Greater Cuillin Traverse record (main ridge + Clach Glas - Bla Bheinn): Tim Gomersall and Johannes Felter, 2015, 9h 24m peak to peak (also included Garbh Bheinn)

Rob Woodall's Cuillin Round concept can be seen at https://gofar997.wixsite.com/gofar/cuillin-round

Note his 59 tops were defined as having at least 50 ft drop on all sides.

More detail on various Cuillin rounds can be found at SHR Long Distance Records page at https://scottishhillrunners.uk/LongDistance.aspx

I mention a 'Sea King' helicopter, when I of course mean Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter, the Sea Kings having been retired some years ago.

James Gibson did climb King's Chimney on Sgurr Mhic Choinnich on his Cuillin Round

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Pawel Cymbalista tells the story of his recent epic run, which he also used to raise money for Lochaber Hope (a mental health support charity) in memory of his father. Setting out solo and unsupported from Fort William on 5th April he completed the fastest known Cape Wrath Trail in a little over 3.5 days - taking 8 hours off the previous (supported) record. Initial bad weather finally relented after 1.5 days but then he experienced a series of vivid hallucinations, many linked to the history of the remote abandoned settlements he passed through. In 86 hours he only slept a minuscule 90 minutes in total, cat napping on the trail. Body aching, exhausted and with his feet in agony, he goes on to recount the final few kilometres to the finish at Cape Wrath lighthouse. Pawel lives in Mallaig and has set FKTs on the Great Glen Way, West Highland Way, and the Ben Nevis 24hr Record (7 laps up and down in under 24hrs). Thank you Pawel for sharing your incredible story (along with background accompaniment of the sparrows in my garden!). Find all Pawel’s info at https://linktr.ee/mymountainlab and his website www.mymountainlab.uk

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On Day 5 of the sixth year of our week-a-year ski traverse of the Grand Alpine Arc (Mediterranean to Vienna) we found ourselves stopping a bit earlier than planned, at the almost full Warnsdorfer hütte winter room. I took the opportunity to sit down with Ben Bardsley and Jon Morgan to discuss our ‘Speedy Tours’ project. Started in 2016 at Menton on the Med coast, the three of us plus fourth member Es Tresidder set out on our journey. The project has been incredibly engaging, taking us through varied terrain and weather conditions, with every type of snow. Long days in new places have made for very memorable trips which build with each year. We talk about the ethos, equipment and practicalities of the project. (Not the best audio I’m afraid on this episode as just done on a phone in the back of a busy hut)

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In this episode I sit down with Robin Downie to talk about his inaugural completion of the Martin Moran Round in Torridon. Devised by Robin - himself a local of Lochcarron - he completed the 86km round in August 2022 and named it in memory of mountaineering legend Martin Moran, the local guide who sadly perished in the Indian Himalayas in 2019. Robin had been inspired since his youth by Martin's many achievements, which include the first continuous traverse of the Alpine 4000m peaks (Alps 4000, in 1994) and the first completion of the Munros in a single winter journey (1985), the Cuillin Ridge Traverse record, and many winter climbing first ascents in the North West and elsewhere.  Robin's love for his local hills shines throughout the conversation. He chose to include 9 Munros and 6 Corbetts of Torridon, giving a wild and rough route with almost 9000m of ascent. He set a time of 20h51m47s. Aside from this round he has also completed the Celtman Ironman three times, as well as the Glencoe Skyline and many cycling races.  Robin's Martin Moran Round raised funds for the Martin Moran Foundation, which was set up in Martin's memory to continue the work of passing on mountain skills to young people. They provide mountain skills courses for young people aged 16-18yrs who are passionate about the outdoors but don't otherwise have the support or resources to access mountain adventure. www.martinmoranfoundation.co.uk

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With winter upon us myself and Ben Gibson, Mountain Safety Advisor for Mountaineering Scotland, sit down and have a good chin wag about the issues facing runners in Scotland's winter mountains. We get our teeth into some winter specifics including winter navigation, snow and ice, avalanche hazards, weather, equipment choice and group dynamics. In my opinion an incremental approach is essential when developing the skills required for moving safely in winter mountains - hence "walk before you run" - as winter mountain running is really a niche of winter mountaineering rather than of running itself, in many ways.  Ben mentions an interesting video looking at how quickly you get cold when you stop on the hill: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nJD49k5AMA Scottish Avalanche Information Service: www.sais.gov.uk Mountaineering Scotland's ThinkWINTER page: www.mountaineering.scot/safety-and-skills/thinkwinter

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I caught up with Dingwall-based climber Murdoch Jamieson to hear about everything North West climbing. A true allrounder, Murdoch has made first ascents and repeats of hard routes on some of the most inspiring cliffs in the region. From Carnmore to Beinn Eighe, Beinn Bhan and An Teallach we hear about why these big, remote and imposing mountains have and continue to inspire him. 

We delve into a bit more detail on some specific climbs such as:

'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Carnmore Crag - first ascent team, led directly after Iain Small - E8 6c (2014)

'Root of All Evil', Beinn Eighe - first winter ascent with John Orr - IX, 8 (2014)

'Godzilla', Beinn Bhan - second ascent with Iain Small and Andy Inglis - IX, 8 (2015)

Godzilla was first climbed by Guy Robertson, Pete Benson and Nick Bullock (2011) and is a direct start to The Godfather

Photo credit: Uisdean Hawthorn. Murdoch on 'Heavy Flak', Beinn Eighe - first winter ascent - VIII, 8 (2019)

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I talk to Olly Stephenson in Edinburgh about hiking the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail which he did in an incredible 88 days this summer. In Olly's words "the trail traces a line up the mountains of west coast USA, traversing five major regions: Desert, High Sierra, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington", linking Mexico to Canada. Olly is no stranger to long distance adventures, with the UK Big Three, the 220 mile John Muir Trail and the Petite Trotte a Lyon  (300km) being a few previous adventures. 

Well known by many as the Carnethy Five race director, a fit 50yr old Olly found himself suddenly breathless and unwell in late 2018. A succession of tests showed he had non-Hodgkin follicular lymphoma, a type of blood cancer affecting the body's lymphatic system. Olly had to endure six cycles of chemotherapy, with various complications, which he describes as his most difficult challenge yet. In remission since 2019, he talks about the shift in his priorities, motivations and outlook. 

Olly is fundraising for Maggie's Cancer Care, a charity which he found incredibly supportive. If you wish to donate or find out more about the charity please go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olly-stephenson

One slight edit as I had a coughing fit in the middle!

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I talk to visiting American Jack Kuenzle who has been over in Scotland gearing up for some big mountain rounds. On 28th July he set out hard on Lochaber's uber-classic Tranter's Round and came in with a new record of 8h38m23s, shaving almost 15 minutes off my best time of 8h52m53s set the day before (more on that in the conversation!). The previous record to that was 9h0m5sec set by me in 2020. It's brilliant to see this aesthetic 60km round of the Mamores, Grey Corries, Aonachs and Ben Nevis getting some hot international attention. Jack has reccied the route extensively over the past month and found some surprising similarities (except the bogs!) to the terrain in the American North East where he holds several FKTs including the 100mile White Mountains record - set just last month on the New Hampshire portion of the Appalachian trail. He has also been known to break skimo records in his underpants! - on Mount Hood in Oregon last winter. The 26 year old ex-Navy SEAL is clearly one to watch, as he turns his focus to the Lake District and a certain round there... https://fastestknowntime.com/athlete/jack-kuenzle https://www.instagram.com/jackkuenzle

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I finally caught up with Jasmin Paris on the Isle of Jura the day before the eponymous race to chat about some of her more recent achievements. We start off with the iconic Isle of Jura Fell Race and what it means to her, before moving on to talk about The Green Runners. This is a new group set up with the aim of connecting runners concerned about the Climate Crisis, and helping to give them a united voice to try and foster change within running culture (in terms of reducing personal footprints of travel, kit and food) and the wider world (by speaking out and political change).  

Jasmin's running CV has a depth to rival the deepest Jura bogs (!) so I've tried to focus on a few of her more recent feats, namely The Spine Race and the Barkley Marathons. The Spine Race crosses a humungous 268 miles along the Pennine Way in mid winter, and in 2019 Jasmin bagged the overall record of just over 83 hours. There was rightly a massive media interest in this globally, celebrating Jasmin the mum as well as Jasmin the ultrarunner. I try to get into her process a bit; what gives her the grit and determination that she clearly has in bundles. We also discuss what it means to be a top woman in sport and how she balances running with family life. We finish by talking though some of the highs and lows of the Barkley Marathons ultra that Jasmin completed the 'Fun Run' 3 lap version of in March this year. This event has developed a reputation as a gruelling and esoteric 100mile+ event that only 15 people have every completed the full 5 laps version of in its 27 year history. With bush wacking in the dark, snowstorms and difficult navigation it's a full psychological assault, and we examine what resilience tools and tricks Jasmin employed. 

Photo by Howie Stern / inov-8 (taken at the Barkley)

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